Shot a nice buck last year while using a bipod. It made for a rock solid rest, which was nice because I was getting a little excited by the time I got a shot. If I was hunting the west side I probably would not use one as much. East side or high country I would have one.

Another vote for shooting sticks. Might matter where you are hunting. If you are in real open country maybe but for me (west side hunter) they would be worthless. I always have to shoot standing to get over the brush and shooting sticks are ideal for that. I leave them extended and they double as a walking stick.I never used them for years but now that I have them I wish I had had them a long time ago. Hard to find a rest with the low stumps you see now and they help me make shots I couldn't make otherwise.

Ive had a Harris and a versa pod before on a couple of my rifles. MOST of the time they sit in my pack or off the gun. never actually taken an animal using a bipod. However Ive had them on my guns for hunting areas where I know a shot may exceed 200 yards. they are nice to have in that case but the added weight gets to be a pain if your not just posting up somewhere.

It is very rare to find me in the field hunting or shooting varmints w/o a Harris Series S bipod attached to my rifle.

We have a couple of Harris Series S swivel bipods, two of them are 25S and the third one is an S-BR that is 6-9 inches. I have probably shot north of 25,000 prairie dogs off the older of the two 25S bipods. I have shot elk and deer off it as well. I have had it since 1992.

The S-BR is mostly used for kids when shooting off our shooting benches. Much easier for kids than a front rest & bags.

The 25S can be a tad bit high (but usable) at it's lowest point for prone shooting, but it is what I find most usable because of the ability to shoot sitting or kneeling over grass, brush and other obstructions.

I have found a set of shooting sticks or trekking poles to be more useful than a bipod when I am in country that could present me with a long shot. If i.am in the timber I don't take anything but the rifle. I used a bipod one season and it seemed to make my rifle feel front heavy and affected my shooting negativley.

I have the Harris 9-13Ē pivoting bipod on my .300wsm. Used it to shoot deer and Elk East and Westside. Only time it comes off the gun is if I am hiking thru reprod or timber where I know the shots will be close.

I used my daypack for decades. I've had shooting sticks (collapsible, shock corded in a belt sheath) for 10+ years and a Harris bipod for a few. I've used them all and been glad to have them. However, my thick stuff gun is an open sights M94 .30/30, and have taken a fair number of fast moving whitetails at close ranges that way. It just really depends on where and how you hunt. None are "must haves" in my opinion, they can be added over time if you have other gear needs.

Logged

As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when. No habitat = no game.

I have never used a bi-pod, but have considered it. I carry shooting sticks in my pack and have used them many times. Most of the animals I have killed have been inside 200 yards, and could have done without them, but they're nice to have when the opportunity presents itself.

The way I see it, I don't want the extra weight attached to the rifle full time. If the animal is far enough away that I need that support to make the shot, I probably have enough time to get my sticks out. Not always obviously, but often. If the animal is close enough that I don't have time to get the sticks out, I probably don't need them anyway.

I grew up hunting in AZ where it is mostly spot and stalk style hunting. I always had shooting sticks or bipods. If you don't want to spend much money then I can tell you how to make very cheap shooting sticks that are very light and quiet. I will never buy shooting sticks again because these work so well! Pm me for more info